Athletes to watch

CHRISTA BENTON, Keswick Christian

The senior is a two-time state champion in the 2-mile and set the Class A state record last season. She also is a three-time state champion in cross country and set the state record over 3 miles.

ASHLEE KIDD, St. Petersburg

She took second in the 400 meters and sixth in the 200 at the Class 3A state meet as a freshman last season. During the summer, Kidd, 15, won the 400 meters in her age group for the second year in a row at the AAU National Junior Olympic Games.

TALISSA HAYWOOD, Gibbs

The senior finished eighth in the 100 at the 3A state meet and was part of the 4x100 relay team that finished fifth.

SHARNEKA BROWN, Lakewood

The lone senior for the Spartans, Brown will compete in the limit of five events this season. Last year, she competed in three at state.

MONICA ADAMS, Largo

Bothered by injuries the first half of last season, Adams came on strong and finished sixth at state in the 100 high hurdles. The two-sport athlete still is playing basketball.

LATECIA HARDY, Clearwater

The sophomore was a state qualifier in two events last season, finishing seventh in the 300 low hurdles and 10th in the pole vault.

NADIA COVINGTON, Lakewood

The sophomore finished in the top 10 in two events at state last season and was part of the winning 4x400 relay team.

CHARLOTTE JOHNSON, Gibbs

The junior was a top-10 finisher in three events at state last season.

JENNY FRASER, Shorecrest

She competed in cross county but middle distances are her forte in track. She took second in the 400 at state last season.

JODI HEYENS, East Lake

Heyens is a two-time conference winner in the 2-mile and took eighth in the event at state last season.